Recruitment group Michael Page International reported a 6.8% improvement in first quarter gross profit today.

The business, which has a Liverpool financial services, legal and Michael Page Personnel operation in Old Hall Street’s The Plaza Building, said, in constant currency terms, total gross profits were £126.6m.

The Americas performed strongly with a 15.6% increase, followed by the UK on 8.1%, Europe, the Middle East and Africa at 5.6%, and the Asia Pacific region which was 1.2% better.

This was despite foreign exchange “headwinds”, particularly in Brazil, Japan and Australia.

The group said non-finance disciplines now account for more than 60% of its profit.

Its strong UK performance was driven by finance and accounting, excluding financial services, and technical disciplines.

Gross profit for the UK, which represents 26% of the total group, was £32.8m for the first quarter period, and staffing during the three months rose from 1,319, in the previous quarter, to 1,350.

The UK division had previously produced two consecutive quarters of 5% growth in the second half of 2013, against “increasingly tough comparators”.

“We continue to invest in the group to capture future growth, increasing fee earner headcount by 105 since the start of the year, particularly in Germany, Asia and the US.

“Our large, high potential markets all saw increased investment in the first quarter, including the launch of a business in Lima, Peru. Our financial commitment to these markets is coupled with the investment in transferring highly experienced senior managers to markets where their experience will bring greater returns, quicker.”

He added: “Whilst economic conditions remain variable across our markets, we have the confidence to invest further in headcount and infrastructure, with the steps outlined above resulting in our anticipated investment in the business this year rising by £4m.

“At the same time the positive momentum we are seeing in some of the leading indicators in a number of our markets means we would expect to meet current market expectations of full year gross profit.”